Monroe County’s convention center expansion has been on hold since the pandemic took over in March.
Bloomington and Monroe County government officials were working on an interlocal agreement this past spring on how to move the project forward.
County commissioners held a public Zoom meeting Monday night to get input on what should happen next on the proposed $44 million expansion and renovation. Around 60 stakeholders and community members logged onto the Zoom call.
Visitors spend $400 million a year in Monroe County. The tourism industry employs 6,800 people. In May, it was projected the pandemic caused an 80-percent drop in hotel bookings nationwide.
Some say it’s too difficult to predict how the convention industry will bounce back, while others say this is the time to get some of the legwork done.
A Capital Improvement Board, or CIB, still needs to be formed as well as parking demands, sustainability goals, property inclusion, and other board appointments.
READ MORE: Some Progress, Same Sticking Points Remain In Monroe Convention Center Expansion
Plan commission member Dave Warren says it’s time to reexamine the capital investment.
“A housing-oriented focus instead of a new convention center would cost considerably less, yet would generate considerable economic benefits, particularly for downtown businesses," said Warren.
Chamber of Commerce President Erin Predmore says the project should stay on hold until experts know how the pandemic affects convention business and what trends they anticipate as it recovers.
“The pandemic shown how important it is to diversify the economy and find ways to decrease the community’s over-reliance on Indiana University," said Predmore. "An expanded convention center could be a crucial asset to help achieve that goal.”
She says there’s not enough data to make an informed decision on the expansion project.
Ellettsville Town Council member William Ellis says the project should stop and be revisited another time.
“We’re paying into something we don’t event know what the status is going to be in four months, six months, to a year," Ellis said. "So I think there is a sense of urgency to our taxpayers.”
He says a convention center in Bloomington won’t benefit Ellettsville. Monroe County customers have been paying the 1-percent food and beverage tax increase since February of 2018 to pay for the convention center project.
Visit Bloomington Executive Director Mike McAfee says many people who work in the industry live in Ellettsville. He says for every $60,000 spent on tourism, a new job is created.
Monroe Convention Center Executive Director Talisha Coppock says they're still at a point in the process where designs can be adjusted for touchless mechanisms, air filtration systems, and more open spaces. She says people still want to have their events in Bloomington - safely.
A portion of the county’s food and beverage tax fund helped fund local businesses recover from the coronavirus shutdown earlier this year.
READ MORE: City Council Supports Food And Beverage Tax Funds For Small Businesses
Residents may submit input through the commissioner's Facebook page or by email ccr@co.monroe.in.us.
